Notes Class 10 English Poem 2 Pencil Gujarat Board

PENCIL  

Poem Name

Pencil

Poet

Jayant Parmar

Translator

Baidar Bakht

Theme of the Poem

The poem describes the imagination and creativity of a little girl. While drawing with a pencil, she creates many strange and wonderful pictures on a white sheet of paper. The poem shows how a child’s imagination can turn ordinary things into magical and impossible images. It also shows the girl’s disappointment when homework interrupts her creative activity.

Central Idea

The poem celebrates the limitless imagination of children. A simple pencil becomes a tool that creates a world full of unusual and colourful pictures. Through the little girl’s drawings, the poet shows that children can imagine things beyond reality. However, when the girl’s creative play is interrupted by homework, her joy disappears.

Detailed Summary

The poet lovingly describes his little daughter. She sharpens a pencil and begins drawing on a white sheet of paper. As soon as she starts drawing, the blank paper seems to become bright and full of life.

Using her imagination, she creates many strange pictures. She draws a black bird flying away with a tree. She imagines a peacock wearing glasses. She draws a fire chariot flying in the air and an aeroplane walking on the road. She even imagines a lion talking with a cow.

The girl continues drawing more unusual pictures. She creates a one-eyed sun on a black tree. She places a patch of cloud over the sun. Then she imagines a blue fish flying on the forehead of the cloud. Finally, she draws a yellow butterfly swimming in a waterfall.

The poet says that his daughter is happily busy creating these strange and imaginative pictures. She enjoys expressing her thoughts freely through drawing.

However, the situation changes when the schoolmaster gives her homework. The little girl becomes angry. In her frustration, she breaks the tip of the pencil. The poet compares the pencil to a candle. When the pencil tip breaks, it is as if the candle has been extinguished. Only the “smoke” remains on the white paper, meaning that the creative activity has suddenly ended.

Stanza-wise Explanation

Stanza 1

My daughter, little dear daughter, lights a pencil with a sharpener.

Explanation

• The poet introduces his little daughter.
• She sharpens her pencil and gets ready to draw.
• The poet compares the sharpened pencil to a lighted candle.

Main Idea

• Beginning of creativity.

Stanza 2

The sky of the white paper begins to be filled with light.

Explanation

• The blank white paper becomes alive with drawings.
• The girl’s imagination fills the paper with beautiful ideas.

Main Idea

• Imagination transforms an empty page.

Stanza 3

Imaginary Pictures Drawn by the Girl

The girl creates many unusual drawings:

1. A black bird flying away with a tree.
2. Glasses on the eyes of a peacock.
3. A fire chariot flying in the air.
4. An aeroplane walking on the road.
5. A lion talking with a cow.
6. A one-eyed sun on a black tree.
7. A patch of cloud over the sun.
8. A blue fish flying on the forehead of the cloud.
9. A yellow butterfly swimming in a waterfall.

Explanation

• These pictures are impossible in real life.
• They show the power of a child’s imagination.

Main Idea

• Creative and imaginative thinking.

Stanza 4

My darling daughter, in her ecstasy, is busy drawing strange pictures.

Explanation

• The girl feels happy and excited.
• She enjoys creating her imaginary world.

Main Idea

• Joy of creativity.

Stanza 5

But when the schoolmaster gives her homework…

Explanation

• The girl’s happiness is interrupted.
• Homework stops her from drawing freely.

Main Idea

• Conflict between creativity and duty.

Stanza 6

My darling doll breaks the tip of the pencil in anger.

Explanation

• The girl becomes upset and angry.
• She breaks the pencil tip because she does not want her drawing activity to end.

Main Idea

• Expression of disappointment.

Stanza 7

And the candle of the pencil is extinguished.

Explanation

• The pencil is compared to a candle.
• When its tip breaks, the creative process stops.

Main Idea

• End of creative activity.

Stanza 8

Only the smoke remains on the sky of the white paper.

Explanation

• The drawings remain on the paper.
• The excitement of creating them has disappeared.
• The imagination has stopped for the moment.

Main Idea

• Sudden end of joy and creativity.

Symbolism in the Poem

Pencil

• Represents creativity and imagination.

White Paper

• Represents an empty world waiting to be filled with ideas.

Candle of the Pencil

• Represents the girl’s creative energy.

Smoke

• Represents the end of imagination and drawing activity.

Literary Devices

1. Imagery

The poem creates vivid mental pictures.

Examples

• Peacock with glasses.
• Fish flying in the sky.
• Butterfly swimming in water.
• Lion talking with a cow.

Effect

• Makes the poem colourful and imaginative.

2. Metaphor

Example

• “The candle of the pencil.”

The pencil is compared to a candle.

Effect

• Shows that the pencil gives life to imagination.

3. Personification

Example

• Lion having a conversation with a cow.

Animals are given human qualities.

Effect

• Makes the drawings seem magical.

Character Sketch of the Little Girl

The girl is:

• Creative
• Imaginative
• Innocent
• Joyful
• Curious
• Artistic
• Emotional

She enjoys drawing and creating new worlds through her imagination.

Important Vocabulary